This is an event that happened around 20 minutes ago.

I saw the paper written by Ekirschteria. It says: "As long as you can create a normal potion, you can pass the Craft Test."

He wrote it after I asked what needs to be done to pass the craft test.

I also asked why he never use this method to talk from the beginning. He answered by writing: "I don't want to waste paper."

Then just freaking speak... is what I wanted to say but I swallowed that question knowing that he must have his own reasons.

Wait, that's not what important right now. What should I think about is...

What should I do with these rotten herbs...

I meant the word "rotten" literally. I look at the provided herbs and all of them are already in rotten state.

To be more precise, this herb is called Potin herb. The usual herb that is used to create potion. You can find this almost everywhere in forest area across any continent. There are 12 of these Potin herbs and not a single one of them is decent enough to be outside of rotten category. These herbs must have been inside this room for quite a long time...

I should make the potion from these herbs. Seriously?

I look at the spectators from behind. It seems like Sylphie and Ekirschteria do not understand the problem I'm facing.

Meanwhile, Pep is grinning at me. He most likely figured out that I noticed the problem. However, since he does not say anything, it means that this problem is also part of the test. To hell with only need to know on how to create potion....

Alright, I need to calm down. It's not like the rotten herbs completely prevent me from making a potion.

There are two basic ways in making potion:

1. Grind about 3 to 4 Potin herb to paste, mix it with water and cook it until boiling point. The potion is done after its temperature cools down.

2. Use a magical item called Cleatric Branch and extract oil from almost any herb. The extracted oil will be then mixed into water in order to create potion because the amount of oil extracted is too small for potion usage. In potion case, I need to extract around 10 to 12 Potin herbs and mix it with water to make 1 potion.

I have tried creating potion using both methods and I prefer the first method which is easier and more cost-saving. However, that's not the case if the said herbs are rotten.

Potin herbs still retain their recovery effect even in rotten state. The freshness of the herb only affects a little on the recovery effect. The problem is... the taste.

When you use grind paste method, the taste of the herb will inevitably mixed into the potion. The herb taste is usually not that bad. But when it's rotten...

I suddenly remember the time when I try drinking grind paste potion using rotten herb just to try the taste... let's not remember it too much. The main point is, it tastes horrible. VERY horrible.

Then I have no choice but to use second method. In order to create extract potion, I need between 10 to 12 leaves....

I looked at the herbs provided by this room again. 12 Potin herbs. To hell with 3 chances, I only have 1 chance from the start.

I look around to see whether I can find Cleatric Branch in this room. Cleatric Branch is a magical item shaped like a tree branch. You usually wrap the the Potin herb around the middle and its magical formula will suck the oil from herb and pour it out at the end part of the branch.

I find and take the Cleatric Branch from the top of a closed big gourd pot at the corner of the room. I also check the magical formula inside the magical item and find out that it is genuine. It has its own mana reserve, thank goodness it does not need user's mana to activate since I don't have mana myself.

I'm curious about what inside gourd pot. I open the lid to find a transparent water in it.

Well, I need to water to make potion too after all. And it looks like there are no other place here that contains plain water except this big gourd pot. If I can put some water from this gourd pot on an empty bottle and mix it with the extracted oil from Potin herb, I can make a normal potion without issue.

Just in case, I taste test the water inside the gourd pot by putting my pointer finger a bit on it and then put my point finger inside my mouth.

... it's salty.

I fall to the knee after knowing the harsh truth: It's not plain water, IT'S FREAKING SEAWATER!!!

"What's wrong, Shion!? Are you okay!?"

I can hear Sylphie's surprised and concerned voice from behind.

"What is it brat? Give up already?"

I can also hear that old man's arrogant voice from behind.

So be it.

"Nothing. I'm fine."

I replied fast to show that I still have the will to continue the test. If this Pep old man decide to act like a teacher who always put a surprise question in exam that is outside of teaching material... then I shall not hold back either.

Since only seawater is available in this room. I have no choice but to use it. I need to separate pure water from the salt within the seawater.

The first method that comes to mind is the classic steam and salt separation.

In order to do that, I need something can heat things or create a fire.

I look around the room to find that kind of magical item. Then I found a small burner that is shaped like those burner I used from chemistry class but made of metal instead of plastic.

I check the formula, it has its own mana reserve and it can activate "Ignite" magic. The result will most likely create a small fire out of that burner.

But it won't be enough to instantly turn the water in the gourd into steam. At best, I can only do it by separate the water into smaller portions and heat them one by one....

Right, if this is what the test is all about. The time limit until night makes sense. Though they should change the name "Craft Test" into "Chemistry Test".

However... there is no way I would do it the normal way when I have a better alternative.

I smile a bit after figuring out what to do. But first I need something to contain the steam before I revert it back into water.

I search and investigate the magical items and their magical formulas. Anything that can contain the steam...

I come across another magic item called "Bubble Lid Pot". It's a small pot that has a magic formula which enables a bubble lid cover the top of that pot. Anything solid and liquid can go through that bubble cover but gas won't be able to breakthrough. It's usually used for cooking purpose using steam.

First, I take the small burner from the shelf and put it besides the big gourd pot. Then I activate it to ignite a small fire right besides the gourd pot.

"Hm?"

I can hear Pep's voice from behind. He might be confused in what I'm doing.

Then I take the "Bubble Lid Pot" with both hands, reverse it's position upside down and hold it above the opened gourd pot.

"Buahahahahahaha!!!"

I can hear Pep's laughter from behind. Sylphie was a bit surprised by the sudden laughter.

"You have excellent eyes for a little girl. I shall praise you for that."

I glance at him a bit before he continues talking.

"However, doing it that way won't give you any result. You need to go back to basics, young one."

He probably think that I'm stupid enough to expect that small fire to heat all the water at once. However, I reply to him with relaxed tone.

"Pep-san, you said that I can use any equipment here as I wish. Is that right?"

"Yeah, of course. Feel free to use all of them to create the potion if you can."

Pep's tone become even more arrogant like an old man watching a kid playing. Sylphie starts to look a bit worried and confused at my conversation with Pep. And Ekirschteria... he's just standing there without moving at all like a statue.

At any rate, since I already got the permission... I look at the small burner near the bottom of the gourd pot.

I use Overtake to change the magic formula of "Ignite" inside the burner. I turn it into a stronger fire spell that I learnt before, "Incinerate".

*Guooooooooo!!!*

A flame big enough to cover the whole pot appear from that small burner.

"WHAT!?"

Pep shouted and almost have his eyes pop out because of the shock. He must have been confused at seeing his small burner bring out such a big fire.

Sylphie is also surprised at what she's seeing unlike her statue-like knight.

Steam starts appearing and enter the pot I'm holding.

The "Bubble Lid Pot" I'm holding has its own mana reserve together with auto activation function. The condition for auto activation is when the incoming rising steam covers the half of the Bubble Lid Pot's inner volume.

After few minutes, the pot I'm holding suddenly activates it's magic and the Bubble Lid traps the steam inside. I turn the pot upside down once again. The Bubble Lid prevents the steam from getting out.

The gourd pot now has less water compared to before.

Since I already get enough steam from gourd, I turn off the burner using Overtake.

Now is the time to turn the steam into water. While the others still look confused, I use Overtake on the magic of Bubble Lid. I just add a single formula that lower the temperature of that magic.

In less than 2 minutes, the steam slowly become liquid and fill the pot I'm holding.

"Alright..."

I put the filled pot on top of the ground. I turn off the bubble lid and take the Cleatric Branch.

I extract the oil from all 12 Potin herbs by putting 3 of them at the middle of the branch, letting the magic formula extract the oil from the herb and bring it out as small droplets at the end of the branch. I let the droplets fall to the water mixing it in the process. And after repeating this process 4 times, I finally create the potion after long and long unnecessary process...

Sylphie looks happy after I complete the potion.

I wanted to put the liquid of the potion into a proper container, but Pepprica comes near me with a spoon and taste test my potion. Then he asks me a question.

"Little girl, how old are you?"

"I'm 8 years old this year."

"Hm.. not bad. You certainly know the basics well despite your young age."

"I can make a better one if you don't put unnecessary troubles in the first place."

I retorted him back immediately. But he doesn't faze at all.

"Being an adventurer means that you will always have to face unknown challenges. You don't need to continue the test, just give me your paper."

I give him the Craft Test paper. After taking my paper, he goes outside of the room and the rest follows him.

Not too long after that, Pep stamped my Craft Test paper when we arrived at the store.

I went back to the guild with Sylphie and Ekirschteria to prove my achievement to the receptionist lady.

Almost everyone inside the guild including the receptionist lady were surprised by my achievement. It seems that they don't expect me to pass the test at all.

Then the receptionist lady did the necessary paperwork for my registration to become an adventurer.

"Please wait for a moment. We will provide you with your guild card shortly."

After saying that, the receptionist lady went inside the back room.

Guild card is a proof of being an adventurer related to the guild. The moment I get that guild card, I am able to work any guild inside the same continent as the guild which issue my Guild card. It also shows my rank as an adventurer. Since I just started, my rank should be the lowest which is D. That's what Sylphie told me when we were waiting for the receptionist lady.

Then someone suddenly enter the guild. I see an adult male dark elf and the one-armed slave boy I saw this morning.

The one-armed boy is carrying a bag three times bigger than him with his single arm. The dark elf wears an equipment befitting of a veteran adventurer. He wears light armors such as arm guards, leg guards and chest guard. His right hand is wielding a spear which holds a green-coloured blade on it's spearhead.

He walks to one of empty tables and the boy follows him. He sits there but the boy there remain standing.

I can hear the whispers of other adventurers.

"Genuma huh..."

"Scary face as usual..."

Sylphie then speaks after hearing the whispers.

"Genuma... that Panthos Genuma?"

I ask Sylphie if she knows him.

"Do you know him?"

"Only from rumours. He is supposed to be the spear user dark elf who can create tornado with his wind magic. A B-rank adventurer which is also the 2nd strongest adventurer in this town."

2nd strongest huh... means that he's a person that I need to take note of. I ask Sylphie more question.

"And the boy who is following him?"

"Most likely his slave."

Sylphie looked a bit sad when she said that. I guess I should not talk much about that slave boy in front of her.

"Thank you for waiting."

The receptionist lady comes back and calls me. She handed over a white card to me. The card shows my name, my D rank and a magic circle. I can tell that this magic circle is a magic to prove the authenticity of this guild card.

"Re-issuing that card will cost you 3 silver coins so please don't lose it."

3 silver coins while staying in an inn for 1 day is 6 bronze coins... expensive indeed.

After I get my card, I for for the dinner together with Sylphie and Ekirschteria.

I didn't notice it before but when that purple knight eats, the food on the spoon just disappear the moment it almost reach the helmet.

From what I see, it's a magic called "Aport". Magic that instantly transport small thing to somewhere near the user. But this is the first time I see someone who use that magic so many times just to eat with his helmet on...

Just like yesterday, Sylphie also treat me for dinner. Now I feel kind of bad. I wanted to pay at least for my own share but she insisted on paying.

.....

....

...

Now I'm lying on the bed in my room again. I raise my right hand holding my Guild card.

"Adventurer... huh.."

There are people out there who wish to kill me. And yet here I am, becoming an adventurer which actually increased the danger I am currently in.

I'm well aware at how reckless I am being right now. However...

"There is nothing more you can do."

Nelsia's words come to my mind.

My left hand grip the bed sheet tightly.

I want to be strong.

I need to be strong.

"... why?"

I unconsciously said that question. I don't even know the reason myself. However...

I get up from my bed and look at the moon from the window besides my bed. I remember again the memories that made me cry yesterday. However, what comes after it is no longer tears... but my newborn determination.

"I won't give up... from this reality... nor from this world..."

.....

....

...

The next morning, I am outside of the inn. Before Sylphie get inside her carriage, she comes to me and put a cross necklace on my right hand.

"A cross...?"

"Please accept it as the token of my gratitude."

"Gratitude...?"

I don't think I ever do things that deserve her gratitude.

"You might not understand it. But you taught me a lot of things yesterday. So please accept it."

I don't know what she's talking about. But she helped me so much even before I enter this town. Therefore, I need to say it now.

"Thank you very much. For all kinds of help that both of you gave me so far."

"It's alright. You don't mind i-"

"No."

"Huh?"

Sylphie was a little surprised when I cut her off. Nevertheless, I continue speaking.

"Someday... I will definitely repay this debt. That's why, next time we meet, please let me repay both of you. Sylphie, Ekirschteria."

Ekirschtria who has been standing behind Sylphie looks at me.

Sylphie then smiles and speaks to me.

"Yeah. Let's meet again. Someday..."

For some reason, I felt like this is the most beautiful smile I ever see coming from her.